Letter-box



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

O zm R ER Hm m JL U GUM/M13 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. JDJ. HERZOG.

LETTER BOX.

No. 604,323. Patented May 17,1898.

Elvwewtoz as u 35 w g a II I n. BY A n wagaimfafz/mjir a 7 Jim UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH JOHN HERZOG, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 604,323, dated May 17, 1898.

Application filed May 6, 1897- Serial No. 635,348. I (No model.)

To all whom it nearly concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH JOHN Hnnzoo, of Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Letter-Boxes and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to letter-boxes; and it consists,essentially,of a device of this character having a spring-actuated plate controlling the entrance to the box and by its movement simultaneously operating a signal indicating the delivery of a letter into the box.

The invention further consists of a movable plate controlling the entrance to the box adapted to actuate an electrical signal contained Within a house to notify the occupants that mail is delivered.

The invention further consists of a case having an open side and a specific interior construction, together with the details of construction and arrangementof the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide means for readily obtaining mail from a box and also to actuate a signal at the time of delivery, the parts being simple and efiective in their construction and operation, strong and durable, and easily and readily operated and set up in proper position.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box or casing embodying the invention and shown positioned in connection with a door-stile, a portion of the door being illustrated and in open position and parts of the stile broken away. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the box or casing. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the box or casing, showing parts broken away to illustrate the interior construction. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the box or casing. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one side of the box or casing, showing the manner of applying a door over the opening in one side of the box. Fig. 6 is an elevation looking toward the inner side of the device shown by Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views,

the numeral 1 designates an outencasing, which may be of any preferred form of construction, contour,or material, but,as shown, has the lower part of the front 2 arranged at an angle of inclination toward the lower end, as at 3, and, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, is open at one side through the medium of a side frame 4," having an opening 5 therein of a specific form, for a purpose which will presently be set forth. The opposite side 6 is closed, and at the lower ends the said sides 4. and 6 are reduced to conform to the shape of the front and have eyes 7 therein for the reception of a connecting-rod 8, passing through a sleeve 9, with interposed washers 10, having grooves to fit over the ends of the said sleeve, one end of the rod 8 being formed with a head, and the other end receives a screw-washer 10, which is countersunk in the eye 7 when attached. The upper ends of the sides 4 and 6 are also formed with extended arms 11, having eyes 12 at the upper ends thereof to receive a connecting-rod 11 and sleeve ll ,similar to the construction set forth in connection with the lower ends of the said sides. The back 12 has a forwardly projecting shelf 13, which forms a rest and also a means for securing and positioning the working parts on the interior of the casing. At other points suitable connecting-rods and securing devices engage the said sides 4 and 6, and within the casing is a front metal lining 14, and in connection with the back is a spring-plate 15, whose upper portion is arranged at an angle of inclination and the lower part extended in a vertical plane to the bottom of the opening within the casing and forms, with the metal plate 14, a receivingcompartment for the reception of letters and other mail-matter., By the arrangement of the spring-plate 15 and the plate 14 a metallic lining is provided which will prevent cutting through the front and back of the casing, which is preferably formed of wood, to nefariously remove the letters or mail-matter contained within the receptacle formed by the said parts. On the upper inner portion of the front of the box or casing is mounted a block 16, having an inclined inner surface 17, over which is applied a metal plate 18. The said plate 18 has its upper-end rounded or bent in circular form and the edge secured in a slot in the said front side and fully shields the upper edge of the said front, while at its lower end it depends below the lower termination of the block 16 in the form of a lip 19, which acts as a guard to prevent the extraction of letters on this side of the receptacle by means of a wire or other implement, for the reason that when the letters are moved up against the plate 14 they will be caught by the said projecting lip 19 and their removal will thereby be prevented. The spring-plate 15 is arranged in a plane parallel with the plate 16 and at its upper end has an upturned lip and a central slot 21. The upper front portions of the sides 4 and 6 project outwardly at the upper part of the casing, and between the same and pivotally mounted therein by 1 means of trunnions or analogous devices is a movable cover-plate 22, having a lower closing-lip 23, adapted to bear upon the upper l curved end 18 of the plate 16 and close the upper terminations of the entrance or throat to the receptacle for receiving the mail-mati ter. a tongue 24, which normally rests against the upper sleeve surrounding the connecting-rod The upper end of the cover-plate 22 has to adjust the sides 4 and 6 and forms convenient means for operating the said plate in 1 opening the throat or entrance to the receptacle for the mail-matter, and also stands far enough away from the shelf 13 to permit newspapers or rolled mail-matter to be placed therein and held by the pressure of the plate. The inner side of the plate 22 has an angularly-disposed flange projecting inwardly therefrom, which bears against the upper portion of the'spring-plate 15 and is adapted to 3 contact with the upper lip 20 to limit the movement of said plate and also travels over j the slot 21.

Secured to the under side of the shelf 13,

behind the plate 15, is a hinge-leaf 26, hav- 1 ing a projecting hinged plate 27 movably atwhich forms part'of a coiled spring 31, carried on a screw-post 32 at a suitable distance from the said hammer. \Vithin the said shelf 13 is also movably mounted a springactuated push-pin 33, which projects through the rear of the casing and into a recess 34. i

This push-pin contacts with the upper end of the spring-plate 15, and the front end of the plate 27 is movable through the slot 21 of the said spring-plate.

The operation of the interior mechanism of the box is secured through the movement of the cover-plate 22, and as the latteris turned to open the throat or entrance to the receptacle the flange 25 thereof forces the springplate 15 inwardly and at the same time strikes the said plate 27 and tilts the hammer 28 against the action of a spring engaging the same, and after the said-flange passes its central line of movement the said plate 27 is released and the hammer 28 delivers a blow to the gong.

The mechanism thus far described may be used alone Without any additional means of giving a signal; but as a further and convenient auxiliary an electrical push button is placed over the recess 34 and is adapted to be engaged by the rear end of the push-pin 33. This push-button is situated at a suitable point in the door-stile or other place and has electrical connection with a signal within a house or other place, and as the contact is made by the pressure of the push-pin against the push-button the said signal will be actuated and notice thereby given of mailmatter delivered in the box.

The mail-box is adapted to be placed upon a door-stile, as previously set forth, or upon the door itself to close against the stile and in either instance when the door is open the open side 4, as shown by the main figures of the drawings, is exposed, so the hand can be placed therein and the mail-matter removed without requiring unlocking a door or gate, as is now commonly the custom. When the box is so positioned, access to the mail-matter cannot be obtained, because the open side will be closed either by the adjacent part of the door when the box is arranged on the stile or by the stile when it is arranged on the door, and in mounting the box in position means are provided for preventing disconnection or movement thereof, and consists of screw-hooks 36, having their angular heads inserted in slots in the rear of the casing and the shanks projected for attachment. These screw-hooks are first'suitably placed in position in connection with the support to which the box is to be applied, and the outer proj ecting angular ends are inserted through the slots, as set forth, and pass into the box.

There are two ways of securing the hooks which are shown in the drawings, and the 1 first mode is illustrated at the bottom of the casing and consists of forming the slot directly in the wood with a narrow extension 37, and after the hook is in position in the said extension a locking-pin 38 is placed thereunder to prevent upward or downward movement of the box at this point. The other form of securing-hook is also shown, and consists of a slotted plate 39, having lower apertured ears 40. This plate is situated on opposite sides of the slot, and after the hook has passed in between the same a locking-pin 41 is inserted through the ears against the bottom of the hook, and upward or downward movement is also prevented at this point. It will be observed that the means set forth of attaching the box are concealed, and access thereto cannot be had from any point, and therefore the box is safely positioned against removal, except by proper persons who will understand how to disconnect the lockingpins.

In Figs. 5 and 6 an addition to the construction and arrangement of the several parts is shown, and therein the side 4 has a movable door 42 applied thereover and supported by a spring-hinge 4.3. The upper part of the said door, near the front, has a curved recess 4A therein, and against the inner side, adjacent to said recess, is a gravitating catch 46, fulcrumed, as at 47, and reduced and curved at its outer end. Beyond the said fulcrum the catch extends slightly above the lower termination of the recess, so as to be conveniently engaged by the finger of the operator or person opening the mail-box, and the extreme outer end is extended outward and beyond the upper end of the said door to take under an adjacent portion of the side 4 to lock the door closed. The rear end of the said catch is weighted and has a recess 48 to engage a pin 49 to limit the downward movement thereof and always sustain the catch in proper operating position. This 'door may or may not be used, as found desirable, but in some instances will provide a convenient accessory to the box, as set forth.

The opening 5 in the side t conforms in contour to the shape of the receptacle for receiving the mail-matter and covers the working mechanism and shields the same against extraneous manipulation. The opposite side also closely covers the working parts, and owing to the simplicity of the latter they are not liable to become broken or disarranged. It will also be understood that if found necessary a secured door can be used over the opening in the side of the box and adapt the device to a position adjacent to a dwellinghouse or other place, such as suburban residences, and when the mail is delivered in the said box the push-button would be operated and actuate a signal within the house at a distance from the situation of the mail-box.

The materials, as well as the dimensions of the several parts of the box, may be varied at will, and it is I obviously apparent that many minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts might be made and substituted for those shown and described Without in the least departing from the nature or spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a letter-box, the combination of a hinged cover-plate therefor, a spring-plate engaging the said cover-plate and forming the rear part of the lining of the box, and signal mechanism adapted to be actuated by the movement of the said cover-plate and spring-plate, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a letter-box, the combination of a casing, a cover-plate movably mounted in connection with the upper part thereof, and a spring-plateforming a part of the rear lining of the box and against which a part of the said cover-plate has direct bearing, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a letter-box, the combination of a casing having an upper shelf and a spring-actuated cover-plate hinged at its lower portion and adapted to project upwardly from the shelf and form means for confining mailmatter thereon, said cover-plate operating a signal when moved downwardly, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a mail-box, the combination of a casing having its front, sides and back rigidly united against separation and having slots formed in the back thereof, screw-hooks attached to a support and extending through said slots, and transverse locking-pins removably mounted under the said screw-hooks and located within a part of the box to hold the said box against movement, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a letter-box, the combination of a casin g having a mail-receptacle with front metal plates, a rear spring-plate, a side with an opening therein conforming to the contour of the receptacle and inclosing the working parts, and a cover-plate with a projection bearing against the upper part of said rear spring-plate, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In a letter-box, the combination of a casing having a letter-receptacle therein with an entrance-opening at the top thereof, a-

block projecting over the upper part of said receptacle to form an overhanging shoulder and having an inner inclined face, a metallic plate mounted on said inclined face of the block provided with a depending lip, and a hinged cover-plate with a lip adapted to extend into the throat of the letter-receptacle, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In aletter-box, the combination of a casing, a movable cover-plate having an inwardly-extending flange, a spring-plate directly engaged and operated by the flange of said cover-plate, a push-pin adapted to be actuated by said spring-plate and an electrically-connected push-button operated by said push-pin, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a letter-box, the combination of a casing, a movable cover-plate having an inward extension, a spring-plate engaged by the said extension and forming the back lining of the box, a gong-hammer operated by the said plate and extension, and a gong or signal adapted to be struck by the said hammer, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a letter-box, the combination of a casing having a mail-receptacle therein, an upper plate with a depending lip, an upwardlyextending spring-plate with an outturned upper end, and a cover-plate with an inner extension, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a letter-box,the combination of a casing having a vertically-disposed mail-receptacle therein, an upwardly-extending springplate arranged at an angle of inclination, a

front inclined plate forming with the upper part of the said spring-plate an entrance or throat to the mail-receptacle, and a coverplate having a flange directly and movably engaging the said spring-plate, substantially as described.

11. In a letter-box, the combination of a movable cover-plate having an inwardly-projecting flange, a spring-plate With an upper inturned end and a central slot against which the said flange directly bears, a hinged plate carrying a hammer, a spring engaging the said hammer, and a gong with which the said hammer engages, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. In aletter-box, the combination of a casing having an open side, and an upper entrance-throat for the entrance of mail-matter and a spring-actuated door engaging said side and provided with a gravitating catch,.substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In a letter-box,the combination of a casing having an open side, provided with an up-: 

